Baseball base



July 31, 1956 l.. A. @RSA-m 2,756,999

BASEBALL BASE Filed Aug. 13, 1954 B ou/s 4. Ozsnrr/ $52.499@

2,756,999 Patented July 31, 1956 BASEBALL BASE Louis A. Orsatti, Los Angeles, Calif., assigner of onethird to Louis B. Lunetta and one-third to Ralph Berrelli, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application August 13, 1954, Serial No. 449,715 Claims. (Cl. 273-25) This invention relates generally to baseball equipment and more particularly to an improved baseball base which is adapted to be held more accurately in position and has a much greater playing life.

The conventional canvas covered baseball base or bag is not particularly satisfactory for a number of reasons. In the first place, the canvas base is not waterproof and is easily soiled. For thesereasons it is necessary to take up the base after each game so that it will be protected as much as possible from the weather. Secondly, the canvas base, which is usually held tothe ground by conventional securing straps cannot be held tightly and accurately in position and is susceptible to shifting or twisting under impact when a player slides into the base or otherwise strikes it a heavy blow. In addition to these disadvantages, the canvas base is quite easily torn or ripped by the sha-1p spikes of the players, and the number of games which can be played on a set of bases before the base Will become torn and distorted, is quite limited.

A base embodying the principles of the present invention overcomes all of the foregoing problems while still providing a base which conforms to all regulations of the game. One of the major objects of the present invention is to provide a base .having means for holding the securing straps against movement relative to the base so that the latter cannot shift or twist from its desired position. These means also reinforce the base so that the material of the cover is protected from tearing out around the straps.

Another object of the invention is to provide a base having a resilient and waterproof cover which is easily cleaned and is adapted to withstand the sharp impact of the players spikes without damage.

A further object of the invention is to provide a base having resilient pad means including an upper pad held tightly beneath the top of the cover by the securing straps and a lower pad adapted to ll the remainder of the base to form a resilient and yet solid support for the cover.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a base of the character described which is simply and economically constructed.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred form thereof, and from an inspection of the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure l is a perspective view of the complete base shown in installed position;

Figure 2 is a cross section through the base taken along the line 2 2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an interior perspective detail of the construction of the cover wall adjacent the split for the securing strap;

Figure 4 is an exterior detail similar to Figure 3 taken in the direction of the arrow 4 of Figure 2; and

Figure 5 is a bottom plan view of the base.

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to Figure 1 thereof a complete base 10 is shown secured in position on the ground. The base 1l) is of regulation size and shape according to the rules of the game of baseball and forms a rectangular llat box. To secure the base in position, conventional flat cloth straps 11 and 12 are extended across the opposite sides of the base in perpendicullar crossing relationship, and the lower ends of the straps are brought beneath the base and attached to ground stakes or posts which form no part of this invention. The Securing or attachment means used is desirably of the type disclosed in the Patent No. 2,695,784, issued November 30, 1954, to Louis A. Orsatti et al., for Baseball Base Anchoring Device, but other types of securing means may be used. Reference is made to the aforesaid patent for a complete disclosure of the preferred attachment device.

The base 10 is formed with' an outer cover 14 which has a horizontal top wall 15 and vertical side walls 16 which are turned under to form bottom aps 17. The cover 14 thus defines the shape of the base and completely encloses the interior thereof. Preferably, the cover 14 is formed of a resilient plastic material molded in one piece in a suitable die or mold. Such a material is sufiiciently resilient to withstand the impact of the players spikes without tearing and is self-sealing so that any perforations made by the spikes are closed upon removal of the spikes and the cover remains waterproof. The material used is white in color, and the surface of the cover is provided with simulated stitching and seams so that in appearance the base is exactly the same as a regulation base. However, being plastic, the cover 14 is easily washed and the base retains its original appearance even after a great number or" games have been played. Reinforcing corners 20 and side plates 21 are also provided of increased thickness material formed integrally with the walls so as to complete the regulation appearance of the base and give the effect of the usual leather reinforcements used on canvas bases. These corners 20 and side plates 21, of course, protect the main wear points of the base as well as adding to its appearance.

As was previously mentioned, the base is secured in position by straps 11 and 12 which extend under the base. As is best seen in Figure 2, the straps are brought up the outside of the cover sides 16 and passed beneath the top wall 15 in perpendicular crossed relationship. In order to pass straps 11 and 12 through sides 16 a center horizontal split 24 is provided in each side spaced slightly below the top 15. The straps 11 and 12 pass across each other at the center of the base and are spaced slightly below the top wall 15.

While the straps 11 and 12 may be secured to the ground stakes in the best possible manner it has been found that prior bases are subject to twisting or sliding out of position under a severe blow such as a player sliding into the the base. This is due to the fact that the straps move or twist relative to the base and are not attached rigidly enough to the base, Also, it has been found that such twisting movement of the straps 11 and 12 tends to tear the cover 14 at the points of attachment thereto.

To overcome these difficulties, the side walls 16 are formed of material which is considerably thicker than that of the straps 11 and 12. Each side wall 16 is then provided with a recessed flat groove 25 extending down the side wall from the split 24 to the bottom of the base. The grooves 25 provide a positive guideway for the straps 11 and 12 and the latter lit fully therein as is seen in the detail of Figure 4. The straps 11 and 12 are thus positively held against lateral movement relative to cover 14. In addition, the recessed position of the straps 11 and 12 improves the playing qualities of the base, since the chances of a player catching his spikes under the straps and injuring himself are greatly reduced.

As is best seen in Figure 3, the interior of cover 14 is further provided with means for holding the straps l1 and 12 properly in position. To this end, an integral boss 3l) projects inwardly from wall 16 and is of tlattened oval shape to define an elongated passageway which opens into the side wall split 24 and is of the same cross sectional shape. Boss 39 thus grips tightly around strap 1i or 12 and thus holds them against both lateral and vertical movement. In addition to holding straps il and i2 in place, the bosses 3@ act to reinforce the side walls 16 around splits 24 and prevent tearing out of the material therearound.

The interior of cover 14 is filled with resilient pad means to provide a relatively solid backing so that the base retains its desired shape. This pad means includes an upper pad 3l of rubber-like material which is positioned above the straps 11 and 12 and the bosses 3u. As can be appreciated, the pad 31 is held tightly up against top wall l by both the straps 11 and 12 and the bosses 30. The remainder of the base is filled by a lower pad 32 which is typically of built up construction including outer and center layers 33 of sponge rubber, and intermediate layers of felt 34. While the pad means shown are presently preferred, it is to be understood that the construction of the pad may be modified considerably while functioning in the same manner.

ln the form shown, the bottom cover aps 17 are of tapered shape adjoining each other along diagonal lines extending across the corners of the base as is best seen in Figure 5. To join the flaps 17 to each other grommets 35 and laces 26 may be provided so that the bottom of the base is tightly closed. It may also be desirable to provide additional bottom closure means in the form of a continuous tongue or sheet 37 which closes over the iiaps 1.7 and so as to prevent the entrance of dirt or moisture through the flaps and is cemented around its edges to side walls 16.

The preferred embodiment of the base thus described is extremely desirable and has a playing life much longer than that of prior bases. By reason of the strap guiding and reinforcing means provided, the base is held accurately in position and is adapted to withstand severe blows without shifting or twisting from position. It will be appreciated, that modification of construction can be made without departing from the principles of the invention, and I do not wish to be restricted to the foregoing details except as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

l. A baseball base adapted to be secured in position by a pair of crossed iiat straps and comprising: a cover of resilient material formed into a rectangular box having a substantially horizontal top and vertical side walls, each side wall having a center horizontal split therein beneath said top for the passage of said straps therethrough; and an internal boss formed integrally with each of said side walls and shaped to define an elongated passageway extending inwardly from said wall and opening into said splits, said bosses holding said straps upwardly in said cover and reinforcing said cover around said splits to prevent tearing of the cover material under impact and resilient pad means fitted within said cover.

2. A baseball base adapted to be secured in position by a pair of crossed fiat straps and comprising: a cover of resilient material formed into a rectangular box having a substantially horizontal top and vertical side walls, each side wall having a center horizontal split therein spaced slightly below said top for the passage of said straps therethrough; an internal boss formed integrally With each of said side walls and shaped to define an elongated passageway extending inwardly from said wall and opening into said splits, said bosses holding said straps upwardly in said cover and reinforcing said cover around said splits to prevent tearing of the cover material under impact; an upper resilient pad mounted in said cover above said straps and held upwardly against saidy top by said bosses and said straps; and a lower resilient pad mounted within said cover below said straps and completely filling the remainder of said base.

3. A baseball base adapted to be secured in position by a pair of crossed flat straps and comprising: a cover of resilient material formed into a rectangular box having a substantially horizontal top and vertical side walls, each side wall having a center horizontal split therein beneath said top for the passage of said straps therethrough, and a recessed outer guide groove extending downwardly from said split for holding said strap against lateral movement; an internal boss formed integrally with each of said side walls and shaped to define an elongated passageway extending inwardly from said wall and opening into said splits, said bosses holding said straps upwardly in said cover and reinforcing said cover around said splits to prevent tearing of the cover material under impact and resilient pad means fitted within said cover.

4. A baseball base adapted to be secured in position by a pair of crossed flat straps and comprising: a cover of resilient material formed into a rectangular box having a substantially horizontal top and vertical side walls, each side wall having a center horizontal split therein spaced slightly below said top for the passage of said straps therethrough and a recessed flat outer groove extending downwardly from said split for holding said strap against lateral movement; an internal boss formed integrally with each of said side walls and shaped to define an elongated passageway extending inwardly from said wall and opening into said splits, said bosses holding said straps upwardly in said cover and reinforcing said cover varound said splits to prevent tearing of the cover material under impact; an upper resilient pad mounted in said cover above said straps and held upwardly against said top by said bosses and said straps; and a lower resilient pad mounted within said cover below said straps and completely lling the remainder of said base.

5. A baseball base adapted to be secured in position by a pair of crossed flat straps and comprising: a cover of waterproof resilient material formed into a rectangular box having a substantially horizontal top and vertical side walls, each side wall having a center horizontal split therein spaced slightly below said top for the passage of said straps therethrough and a recessed flat outer groove extending downwardly from said split for holding said strap against lateral movement, and said cover having split bottom flaps adapted to be laced together; an internal boss formed integrally with each of said side walls and shaped to define an elongated passageway extending inwardly from said wall and open into said splits, said bosses holding said straps upwardly in said cover and reinforcing said cover around said splits to prevent tearing of the cover material under impact; an upper resilient pad mounted in said cover above said straps and held upwardly against said top by said bosses and said straps; and a lower resilient pad mounted within said cover below said straps and completely filling the remainder of said base; a flat sheet of resilient waterproof material fitted between said lower pad and said cover flaps to provide a sealing tongue extending over the intersection of said iiaps.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,103,148 COnrad Dec. 21, 1937 2,275,547 MOuCh a Mar. 10, 1942 2,471,736 Fleming et al May 31, 1949 

